Books for Tots

These books are for children who can't yet read, children who are beginning to read and children who can read very well. Mostly they will be read by parents and carers, sharing the stories with lucky children. Even children who can read enjoy listening to a grown-up reading. They’ll also enjoy looking at the pictures - whch help tell the story - and chatting about the story. Whoever you are, reading the story, have fun! Let yourself go and read with loads of expression.

There are now seven full colour picture books to purchase and keep or borrow from the library. Just click on the cover illustration if you would like to buy the book from Amazon.

"Right away, from the vulgar nose-picking and tongue-poking loonies depicted on the cover, we know we’re in for some rude and naughty bears who can’t wait to give that subversive thrill kids so adore. And the promise is rewarded for these hairy creatures romp across the pages, bar the doors and hang from the chandeliers throughout the book. Certainly they are ugly and playful rather than scary, but they do still need to be taught a lesson, because they won’t let our hero go upstairs to bed. How bad is that? But the joke is on us because in the end the wicked animals turn out to be under the influence of the boy all along.

Dynamic compositions and jolly palette allow us not take this anxious story too seriously while chalky textures and simple patterns keep the images bold and varied viewpoints keep the scale lively. The characters are definitely not sweet and the cat who mirrors the boy’s feelings is wonderfully quirky. Kids will enjoy the fun."

Leopard is having a party, but he hasn't invited Aardvark. When
naughty ants start biting bottoms at the birthday bash, it isn't long
before all the guests are throwing their pants in the air to get rid of
them! Only Aardvark can eat the ants and save the day, but will he make
it to the party?

Helpful Hyena is tired of cleaning up everyone else’s
mess. Encouraged by Vulture she takes a break and so does he. ‘At first nobody noticed. Till one day Hippo sniffed, And said to all the others.

“Hey! What’s that nasty whiff?”

It’s not long before the other animals are begging them to
return, but will they?

Here is a review from the WriteAway website.

"Julia Jarman’s quirky slant on the role hyenas and vultures take in cleaning up after other animals in the wild makes for a fun and entertaining story with a green message. Children will love the deliberately ‘naughty’ leading lines and there is plenty to entertain adult readers too. The illustrations add to the fun and the expressions of some of the animals reacting to the pongy savannah are hilarious. An added bonus for children who want to help save the planet is a downloadable certificate along with some child friendly eco tips available from the publisher’s website."

When Sam learns that he's going 'up north' for Christmas he's a bit worried. How will Santa know where to send his presents? When that problem is solved by a letter to Santa he gets excited. Are they going to the North Pole? Will there be ice and snow and POLAR BEARS? Look carefully in the pictures to find the answer!

Mammoth ISBN 0 307 17515 4

Polar Bears is currently out of print, but is now available as an iBook!

A follow-up to the prize-winning, Big Red Bath. Ben and Bella are off on another rhyming adventure. The train puffs and chugga chuffs and clickety clacks its way round the world. We visit the Arctic, a jungle, a desert and a farm to get to a seaside birthday party.

"The tale is written using rhyme, rhythm and repetition all of which are recognised as supporting children's developing knowledge of written language. A super book which, once read aloud together, children will enjoy browsing through for themselves."